RT Journal Article
T1 Successful plant growth in acid mine drainage-impacted soil using pot-based experiments with waste amendments
A1 Fernández Landero, Sandra
A1 Fernández Caliani, Juan Carlos
A1 Giráldez Díaz, Inmaculada
A1 Hidalgo Fernández, Pablo José
A1 Morales Carrillo de Albornoz, Emilio
K1 Geoquímica de suelos
K1 Restauración ambiental
AB This paper addresses the challenge of remediating soil impacted by acid mine drain- age (AMD) using an innovative and sustainable Technosol-based approach to stabi- lize soil and facilitate vegetation recovery. The study assessed the effectiveness of Technosols made from recycled organic (water clarification sludge) and inorganic (siderurgical slags and red gypsum) wastes in mitigating the detrimental effects of AMD on soil properties, pore water chemistry, and plant growth through a 4-month pot experiment. Technosols significantly improved soil health by neutralizing net acidity (296 mmol H+ kg 1), raising pH levels from extremely acidic (3.3) to mildly alkaline (7.7–8.0), and limiting the mobility of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Dis- solved Cu and Zn concentrations dropped from 80.21 and 72.08 mg L 1, respec- tively, to below 1 mg L 1 by the end of the monitoring period. The experiment identified several concomitant mechanisms of PTE retention, such as decreased dis- solution of metal-bearing minerals, precipitation reactions and adsorption onto Fe and Al (oxy)hydroxides. Aqueous speciation modelling indicated a decline in toxic metal forms (e.g. Al3+, AlSO4+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and H2AsO4 ) in soil pore water after treatment, thus reducing phytotoxicity. Additionally, waste amendments enhanced nutrient availability, with nitrate concentrations reaching up to 417 mg L 1, support- ing seed germination and seedling establishment. The most effective Technosol, com- bining water treatment sludge and white steel slag (60:40 w/w), enabled robust growth of Brassica juncea. Principal component analysis showed a strong correlation between healthy plant responses (survival rate, plant height, leaf number, biomass production) and improved soil pore water parameters (pH, PTEs, aluminium, calcium, bicarbonate and nitrate ions), highlighting the benefits of waste amendments. These findings underscore the potential of waste-derived Technosols in stabilizing AMD- impacted soils and promoting thriving plant growth. However, further validation in field trials with diverse plant species is recommended for real-world applications.
PB John Wiley & Sons
SN 1085-3278
SN 1099-145X (electrónico)
YR 2024
FD 2024
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10272/23970
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10272/23970
LA eng
NO Fernández-Landero, S., Fernández-Caliani, J. C., Giráldez, M. I., Hidalgo, P. J., & Morales, E. (2024). Successful plant growth in acid mine drainage-impacted soil using pot-based experiments with waste amendments. Land Degradation & Development, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.5211
NO This research received financial support from the Regional Govern-ment of Andalusia (Spain) and the European Regional DevelopmentFund Andalusia 2014–2020 under Project P-18-TP-3503, in partner-ship with DSM Soluciones Medioambientales. It was also funded byEU project 101071300 Sustainable Horizons (HORIZON) HorizonEurope Framework Programme- HORIZON-WIDERA-2021-ACCESS-05. We express our gratitude to Nereida Pascual, Lourdes Vales, andAlicia Rodríguez (DSM, Centro de Nerva) for their invaluable assis-tance in collecting waste samples and providing essential informationabout the waste materials. Funding for open access charge: Universi-dad de Huelva / CBUA
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 14 jul 2026